It's My Birthday And I'll Fluff If I Want To
“Oh, there’s still a familiar face or two. In fact, there’s one in particular whom I’m sure you’ll be happy to see.” Minerva added slyly, “Hermione Granger is Professor of Muggle studies. I’m sure you’ll have loads to talk about.”
“And that’s supposed to be incentive to get me to come back?” He drawled, rolling his eyes. “I’m surprised the students haven’t lynched her by now. Insufferable girl.”
Minerva shook her head and tutted. “Pot, kettle, black, Severus. Besides, girls grow up. It’s about time you did, as well.”
Severus gave Minerva a withering look. “You’re pushing your luck, Headmistress.”
~~~~~
Severus had accepted Minerva’s offer of dinner that evening, and as they entered the Great Hall he passed Hermione speaking with a group of older students, all of whom, witch and wizard alike, appeared to adore her.
But something was amiss; beneath her happy, smiling exterior was a restlessness, a brittle self-deprecation Severus felt immediately. It was like sensing a lighter version of himself as a teacher here, and it rubbed against him with the familiar feeling of a scratchy garment. Not unwelcome, just unnecessary.
As he walked unnoticed behind her, he overheard the most asinine, idiotic remark ever uttered.
~~~~~
“I mean, no disrespect to Muggleborns, but my father says that most of the truly great Magical heroes down through history were wizards of Pureblood.” Amidst the jeering naysayers, the Slytherin stood firm. “No, he says it’s proven fact! They have better reflexes and conjuring abilities, too.”
Hermione had rolled her eyes with the rest and declared, “Now this, Mister Alyn, is the point at which I throw back my head, and laugh like a Musketeer.” She placed her fists on her hips like the best Pantomime Prince Charming, threw her head back, laughing loudly and derisorily, “Ha ha ha!”
~~~~~
Everyone around her had laughed with her, except a younger boy who sported the red hair and freckles of a Weasley. He growled, “Pack it up, mate. Harry Potter’s one of my dad’s friends, and he’s half-blood.” Several students nodded, murmuring.
Severus, without thought, said, “I, too, would beg to differ with you, young man.”
“Blimey, that’s Severus Snape!” A voice whispered, and suddenly the room was filled with the excited whispers of students, as word spread from table to table. Necks craned to get a better view of him as Hermione looked up with a smile of surprised welcome.
~~~~~
Severus looked at the boy who had uttered the contemptuous remark and continued, “Mister... Alyn, is it? You, Mr. Alyn, are speaking with one of the heroes of the war.” Severus nodded to Hermione, who nodded modestly in return. “Professor Granger is Muggleborn. And it may or may not have escaped your attention, but Professor Granger is also a witch.”
He drawled, “In other words, a woman.”
The others laughed. Hermione had blushed so prettily that Severus felt colour rising in his own face. Mr. Alyn, proving that he was not adverse to a joke at his expense, also laughed.
~~~~~
Looking into Severus’ eyes, Hermione silently asked permission, and when Severus nodded consent, she said, “Class, this is none other than Professor Severus Snape. He is also half-blood. I had the honour of being one of his students during the war years.
"If you want to know what a true hero looks like, you need only look as far as this wizard,” she’d said, with typical Gryffindor sincerity and conviction.
She’d also done something else, and Severus had never forgotten it. She’d looked at him with eyes that were filled with affection and pleasure. She’d been happy to see him.
~~~~~
Severus had been so taken aback that he’d nodded formally and replied, “Professor Granger. Thank you for your kind words. May I say that teaching such a talented witch was my privilege,” he added, airily. “I only hope none of your students are caught reenacting some of your more dangerously heroic deeds.” Hermione’s eyes widened.
The impertinent oik who’d started the fracas interjected, “Professor Granger, is this the point at which I throw back my head and laugh like a Musketeer?”
Snape smirked. “I wouldn’t recommend it, Mr. Alyn. Professor Granger’s reflexes and conjuring abilities are quite formidable. Heroic, even.”
~~~~~
Severus swept the room with his gaze, and escorted a still blushing Hermione up to the Head table. They left the student body gawking in their wake, and to Severus, it had felt a little like old times. It was also the first time Hogwarts felt like home.
Minerva seated them far apart at the table that day. Severus knew she had done it on purpose; whetting his appetite, giving him a taste of what seeing Hermione every day might be like.
Hermione touched his shoulder as they parted company to sit. It was the last time they sat apart.
“And that’s supposed to be incentive to get me to come back?” He drawled, rolling his eyes. “I’m surprised the students haven’t lynched her by now. Insufferable girl.”
Minerva shook her head and tutted. “Pot, kettle, black, Severus. Besides, girls grow up. It’s about time you did, as well.”
Severus gave Minerva a withering look. “You’re pushing your luck, Headmistress.”
~~~~~
Severus had accepted Minerva’s offer of dinner that evening, and as they entered the Great Hall he passed Hermione speaking with a group of older students, all of whom, witch and wizard alike, appeared to adore her.
But something was amiss; beneath her happy, smiling exterior was a restlessness, a brittle self-deprecation Severus felt immediately. It was like sensing a lighter version of himself as a teacher here, and it rubbed against him with the familiar feeling of a scratchy garment. Not unwelcome, just unnecessary.
As he walked unnoticed behind her, he overheard the most asinine, idiotic remark ever uttered.
~~~~~
“I mean, no disrespect to Muggleborns, but my father says that most of the truly great Magical heroes down through history were wizards of Pureblood.” Amidst the jeering naysayers, the Slytherin stood firm. “No, he says it’s proven fact! They have better reflexes and conjuring abilities, too.”
Hermione had rolled her eyes with the rest and declared, “Now this, Mister Alyn, is the point at which I throw back my head, and laugh like a Musketeer.” She placed her fists on her hips like the best Pantomime Prince Charming, threw her head back, laughing loudly and derisorily, “Ha ha ha!”
~~~~~
Everyone around her had laughed with her, except a younger boy who sported the red hair and freckles of a Weasley. He growled, “Pack it up, mate. Harry Potter’s one of my dad’s friends, and he’s half-blood.” Several students nodded, murmuring.
Severus, without thought, said, “I, too, would beg to differ with you, young man.”
“Blimey, that’s Severus Snape!” A voice whispered, and suddenly the room was filled with the excited whispers of students, as word spread from table to table. Necks craned to get a better view of him as Hermione looked up with a smile of surprised welcome.
~~~~~
Severus looked at the boy who had uttered the contemptuous remark and continued, “Mister... Alyn, is it? You, Mr. Alyn, are speaking with one of the heroes of the war.” Severus nodded to Hermione, who nodded modestly in return. “Professor Granger is Muggleborn. And it may or may not have escaped your attention, but Professor Granger is also a witch.”
He drawled, “In other words, a woman.”
The others laughed. Hermione had blushed so prettily that Severus felt colour rising in his own face. Mr. Alyn, proving that he was not adverse to a joke at his expense, also laughed.
~~~~~
Looking into Severus’ eyes, Hermione silently asked permission, and when Severus nodded consent, she said, “Class, this is none other than Professor Severus Snape. He is also half-blood. I had the honour of being one of his students during the war years.
"If you want to know what a true hero looks like, you need only look as far as this wizard,” she’d said, with typical Gryffindor sincerity and conviction.
She’d also done something else, and Severus had never forgotten it. She’d looked at him with eyes that were filled with affection and pleasure. She’d been happy to see him.
~~~~~
Severus had been so taken aback that he’d nodded formally and replied, “Professor Granger. Thank you for your kind words. May I say that teaching such a talented witch was my privilege,” he added, airily. “I only hope none of your students are caught reenacting some of your more dangerously heroic deeds.” Hermione’s eyes widened.
The impertinent oik who’d started the fracas interjected, “Professor Granger, is this the point at which I throw back my head and laugh like a Musketeer?”
Snape smirked. “I wouldn’t recommend it, Mr. Alyn. Professor Granger’s reflexes and conjuring abilities are quite formidable. Heroic, even.”
~~~~~
Severus swept the room with his gaze, and escorted a still blushing Hermione up to the Head table. They left the student body gawking in their wake, and to Severus, it had felt a little like old times. It was also the first time Hogwarts felt like home.
Minerva seated them far apart at the table that day. Severus knew she had done it on purpose; whetting his appetite, giving him a taste of what seeing Hermione every day might be like.
Hermione touched his shoulder as they parted company to sit. It was the last time they sat apart.